A dreaded question that few consider the answer to until they find themselves high and dry; literally. There are a few common reasons why people find themselves without hot water, and if you are sure you’re up to date on your bills, most of them have to do with your water heater. Here are some common reasons your water heater isn’t working and some quick ways to help resolve your issue. 

No Hot Water 

If you have no hot water whatsoever, that’s cause for some alarm. After all, your water heater’s one and only function is to provide you with hot water. Before you call up a professional, the first thing you’ll want to do is check the pilot light. You can typically locate the light at the base of the water heater. If the light is out, your next move should be to call up a professional plumber to get you back on track. 

You Don’t Have Enough Hot Water

Maybe you have some hot water but not enough to suit your needs. We’ve all taken those nice warm showers that turn into frigid nightmares because the hot water fails on you. In cases like these, there are one of two culprits, the first of which is a broken thermometer. This is a very easy fix for any water heater professional can patch up. The other possibility is that your current heater is unable to match your hot water needs. This can be because your household has grown in size, your hot water usage has increased, or the equipment’s effectiveness has been curbed in old age. In this instance, increasing your tank size may be the optimal solution to getting hotter water.

Your Heater is Leaking 

Of all the issues you could have with your heater, this is probably the worst. A leak is a sure fire sign that your water heater is on its way out and you’re due for a replacement, and heaters can be some expensive pieces of equipment. Sadly there’s not much to be done about a heater that’s so far gone that it sprung a serious leak, and you need to act quickly before the leak turns into a burst that floods your home with gallons of water. The team at Lake Cook can walk you through the process of finding a new heater to last you for years to come. 

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start learning more about your plumbing system!

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By zachadmachinescom

Your plumbing is something you tend to take for granted – until something goes wrong. When that happens, you realize just how dependent you are upon properly performing plumbing. It is more than a little inconvenient when your toilet won’t flush or you turn on your faucet and only a trickle comes out, but your basement is flooded because a pipe rusted through. Emergencies such as these can be avoided for the most part if you spend time conducting regular plumbing inspections. Just as a car only performs well with regular maintenance, so it is with your plumbing. Neglecting your plumbing can lead to some serious complications over time, complications that can cost you a great deal of money.

The Effects of Neglect

Other than a non-working toilet and flooded basement, neglecting to have regular plumbing check-ups can see you:

• Frequent drain clogs
• Reduced lifespan of plumbing fixtures
• No hot water
• Frequent pipe leaks
• Higher costs on utility bills
• Higher risk of frozen or burst pipes
• Greater in-home discomfort

Benefits of Regular Maintenance

On the other hand, if you take a few minutes on a regular basis to go through and check on the health of your plumbing, you will realize a great many benefits, including:

• Improved plumbing fixture lifespan
• Lower costs on utility bills
• Reduced risk of water damage
• Greater convenience around the house
• Hot water 24/7 for showering, laundry, dishwashing, etc.
• Improved water quality
• Better peace of mind

What to Look For

Now that you know the importance of regular plumbing inspections, you probably want to know exactly what you need to check, and if you will know when something needs to be fixed. A general inspection is easy to do and we will tell you what needs checking and what you are looking for. As for repairs, it is best to leave most plumbing repairs to professionals as one wrong move can end up creating a lot of damage. Taking the time to perform an inspection, however, is something that you will become proficient at over a short period of time.  Include the following in your inspection:

1. Check water heaters for any leaks – Look for signs of damp concrete or puddles beneath the tank.
2. Testing shut-off and pressure relief valve on water heaters – Turn this off and then on and make sure it is operating as it should. Operation should be smooth and without sound and reaction should be immediate.
3. Check electrical or gas valve connections on water heaters – A short in the electrical unit or a leak in the gas valve connections can not only cost money but also create a fire risk.
4. Inspect plumbing fixtures leaks or damages – check for drips on the floor, signs of leaking in walls and any moisture on pipes. All of these can indicate there is a leak somewhere. Small drips become major leaks if not repaired.
5. Be alert of any slow drainage from fixtures – This indicates there is a clog somewhere in the system. Water should flow freely and quickly.
6. Check faucets for leaks. – Washers wear out and seals get broken. The little drip that may appear barely noticeable can add up to hundreds of dollars in wasted water over time. 
7. Test flushing on toilets for leaks. – Your toilet should only run long enough for the tank to refill when you flush the toilet. If your toilet runs continuously or seems to run at odd times between use, it can mean the seal inside needs replaced.
8. Check or install water softening systems – Hard water not only leaves stains but it also causes build-up within your pipes that will slowly rust them from the inside out. Installing a water softening system takes care of both problems.
9. Check or install water filtration  – Chemicals added to water to clean it can cause problems with build-up within pipes. A water filtration system will help eliminate the worst of the damage in the areas around the spigot and in such appliances as dishwashers and washing machines.
10. Ensure piping is insulated and leak free – A frozen pipe can burst as it warms back up. The constant expanding/contracting of repeated freezing/thawing weakens the pipe, and all the pipes connected to it. Install special pipe insulation around all pipes and check regularly to make sure it remains free of tears and holes.

Run through this general inspection twice a year and you should be able to catch any minor problems before they become major ones. It is also recommended that once a year you have a professional come in and inspect the parts of your system you can’t. With regular maintenance, you won’t have to worry about being left high and dry at the worst possible moment.

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & schedule a home plumbing inspection!

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By zachadmachinescom

10 Types of Piping Found in a Home’s Plumbing System

As a homeowner, you need to know what’s going on inside your walls and under your floorboards. Knowing is half the battle, as once you know, you can act, making the important repairs and installations that you need to make in order to bring your home up to your standards. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of plumbing pipes you’re likely to find in your home

1. PB (Plastic Polybutylene)

Polybutylene, or PB piping, was commonly used from the late 1970’s into the mid 1990’s. These pipes were low cost and easy to install, making them very popular, especially throughout the 1980’s. 

Underground main lines are usually blue, but the pipes can also be black or gray. It’s usually about a half inch or an inch in diameter. The problem with PB is that, after so many years of use, the chlorine in tap water may cause the piping to flake and scale. PB is best replaced before it falls apart, but it does not pose an immediate danger like some other outdated plumbing materials might

2. Plastic Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)

CPVC is difficult to tell apart from PVC, and in many respects, it is functionally the same material. They are not identical, however. PVC piping will usually start to soften and weaken at the joints above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas CPVC can handle temperatures exceeding 200 degrees with ease. CPVC tends to be more common in commercial building projects. CPVC is a great choice for your home, but note that you generally will not want to connect PVC to CPVC, rather, you will want to choose one or the other.

3. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene, or ABS pipes, can be identified by a dark, almost metallic appearance. They are very similar to PVC in most respects, but they tend to weather the sun poorly, so they are not recommended for outdoor application. They are known to be easier to install than PVC, and are often used as an alternative where metal piping might be considered.

4. High density polyethylene (HDPE)

Also known as alkathene or polythene, HDPE or High Density Polyethylene pipes are popular for their high strength-to-density ratio. This black, plastic piping can be used for potable water, but is more often used to distribute gas, oil, wastewater, and chemicals in industrial settings than it is used in residential housing.

5. Cross linked polyethylene (PEX)

Often used as an alternative to copper, PEX, or cross-linked Polyethylene typing, costs about a third of copper, won’t corrode, and is fast and easy to install. PEX can be identified by its bright blue or red color, and is frequently used to insulate electric wiring.

6. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, is perhaps the most popular form of piping used for plumbing in residential buildings. It is easily recognized by its white plastic appearance. If your home was built in the last ten, twenty years, then chances are that you’re looking at PVC pipes. A common replacement for metal piping, PVC is incredibly strong for its low cost, durable, and easy to install, with no real downsides to speak of

7. Copper

Copper pipes are still used in some homes. They’re fairly easy to identify: If you’ve seen copper before, imagine pipes made out of it. They do not pose any serious health risks, they tend to be durable and safe, but their inflexibility makes them difficult to install, and they are quite expensive in comparison to plastic, so they tend to be less common in new homes

8. Cast Iron

Cast iron pipes have been popular in the past as an option for distributing wastewater, pressurized gasses, oil and so on. They look just like a cast iron skillet you would use for cooking: Black, heavy, and metallic. If you have any cast iron pipes in your home, you would be advised to replace them as soon as possible. They are prone to corrosion, and, in many instances, impossible to repair and replace.

9. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel tends to have a clean, shiny metallic appearance. It may be your best bet if you insist on metallic pipes, being much more durable, but stainless steel is prone to corrosion, it’s expensive, and it’s difficult to install.

10. Galvanized steel

If you have galvanized steel pipes, have them replaced as soon as possible. Galvanized pipes are steel covered in a layer of zinc. The zinc erodes over the years, causing buildup which can completely clog your pipes. Not to mention, you’re drinking and showering in zinc, and you may wind up drinking lead, as well. Galvanized steel pipes look like normal steel, except with a chalky layer of zinc on the surface. You can identify an eroded galvanized pipe by the rusty color of the water coming out of your tap

Outdated pipes aren’t always dangerous, but they can be. PB, for instance, may fail at any given moment, but it probably won’t put you in the hospital. If you have galvanized steel pipes, replace them as soon as possible. Beyond safety concerns, the “best pipe” may simply be a matter of personal preference.

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start learning more about your plumbing system!

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By zachadmachinescom

It’s tempting to dump household wastes down the drain. Sure, it would be so easy to just pour that used motor oil down the sink. But, in the end, the convenience will cost you. Discarding some types of waste in your toilets, garbage disposal and sinks can damage your plumbing system. And fixing that damage gets expensive very quickly. Don’t believe us? Flush things that aren’t meant to be flushed and you could have a backup or overflow on your hands. Washing items or liquids down a sink can have similar consequences in the form of slow, clogged drains.

Even your garbage disposal is not immune. Just because the disposal is capable of chewing up food waste doesn’t mean it can handle anything. There are limits to your garbage disposal’s capabilities, and trying to dispose of items improperly can damage your disposal but cause costly backups and clogs.

Here’s a look at 10 common household products that should never be flushed or washed down a drain.

1. Disposable Diapers and Sanitary Napkins.

Never flush a disposable diaper or sanitary napkin down the toilet. These items are simply too big for your plumbing system’s pipes to move. They frequently become stuck and can’t be dislodged with a plunger. In many cases, you’ll need a professional to fully disassemble your pipes and remove the item. This sometimes entails digging up buried pipes in your yard which not only destroys your lawn, but also costs a pretty penny.

2. Hair and Dental Floss

Some hair will go down the drain. It’s inevitable. And our plumbing systems can handle small amounts of hair here and there. But don’t clean out your hairbrush and dispose of the wad of hair in the drain. And never put dental floss in the toilet or sink. These stringy items will eventually get tangled together and create a clog that no amount of chemical drain opener will clear.

3. Cooking Fats, Oils and Grease (FOGs)

After cooking a delicious pound of bacon, you’ve got a lot of grease left over. Just dump it down the sink, right?  Wrong. Dumping grease and/or cooking oil is a surefire way to damage your drains. When you pour any sort of grease down the drain, it congeals as it cools. That means you’ll have a greasy lining on your pipes which slows the rate of water and potentially causes clogged drains. Plus, when FOGs are introduced to public sewer systems, they mix with solid particulates. This damages public infrastructure and makes it more expensive to treat wastewater.

4. Paper Towels, Cotton Balls and Swabs

Unlike toilet paper, paper towels, cotton balls, and cotton swabs are not designed to disintegrate in water. Plus, they’re absorbent which means they actually get heavier and harder to move once they’re wet. Flushing them down the toilet will block up plumbing lines and/or lead to problems with septic systems. Not only is it an expensive problem to fix, but it’s also pretty disgusting.

5. Automotive Fluids like Motor Oil, Transmission Fluid and Antifreeze

Automotive fluids, including windshield cleaner, can easily enter streams, lakes, and rivers when dumped down a drain. Once these chemicals enter these waterways,  they’re incredibly harmful to the wildlife in those ecosystems. Instead of pouring these chemicals out, transfer these fluids to an old bottle or jar and dispose of them properly.

6. Medication

Whether an over-the-counter or a prescription, never flush medications down the toilet or pour them down a sink drain. Public water filtration systems cannot remove medications from the water. This means that those chemicals can be transferred to your community’s tap water.

7. Coffee Grounds

Don’t ever put coffee grounds down the sink or garbage disposal unless you want clogged plumbing. Any plumber will tell you coffee grounds are one of the most common culprits for clogged pipes.

8. Egg Shells, Bones, or Foods with Hard Edges

Even though your garbage disposal is capable of chewing up egg shells and small bones from poultry or fish, you still should refrain from testing it for yourself. They are known to damage the disposal and clog up your drains. Always throw them in the trash.

9. Stickers and Band-Aids

Anything with adhesive can cause problems or your plumbing system. Even those little stickers that come on produce can collect in your plumbing system’s pipes and create clogs and blockages.  Therefore, never flush a Band-Aid and keep stickers from going down the drain as well.

10. Tampons and Flushable Wipes

The package says they’re flushable, but tampons and personal wipes shouldn’t be flushed under any circumstance. They can clog your plumbing lines and they cause problems for public sewer systems. When mixed with FOGs, these items can create giant masses that block public sewer lines causing backups.

While these things may seem like mild inconveniences for the homeowner, the expenses can certainly add up. Whether you pay a plumber to fix the problem or have the costs passed on to you through your utility bill, you will end up paying for putting the wrong types of items down the drains. The easiest fix is to not let these problems take root in the first place. Call the professionals today before the problem gets out of hand. Your bank account will appreciate it. 

Call Lake Cook Plumbing to keep your drains in tip-top shape!

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By zachadmachinescom

As a homeowner, chances are good that you have already experienced the displeasure of a clogged or overflowing toilet. In addition to the mess, a toilet that clogs or overflows frequently can cause lasting damage to floor coverings, sub-floors, plumbing infrastructure, and even the ceiling below, when the toilet is located in an upper-level bathroom. In addition, any moisture that remains after the clean up can result in unhealthy mildew and mold growth long after the job has been completed. 

The Cost of a Poorly Maintained Toilet

According to census data published by the United States Census Bureau, the numbers of new home constructions with three or more bathrooms each now outnumber new homes built with one to one and one-half bathrooms by a ratio of nearly ten to one, based on the samples taken. With the number of home toilets rapidly growing, the cost of damage from clogged or overflowing toilets also rises exponentially. 

Clogged or overflowing toilets can result in costs to homeowners. This includes:

• replacement / repair costs to flooring, subflooring, walls and trim materials
• replacement / repair costs to plumbing pipes and fixtures
• repairs to drain and sewer lines
• possible mold remediation from frequent or latent water infiltration
• higher water bills when toilets are not operating correctly and must be flushed multiple times to move waste through the system

In addition to monetary costs, families who frequently deal with clogged or slow toilets are being forced to sacrifice much of the enjoyment they should get from living in the home. The good news, however, is that homeowners can avoid this type of damage to their homes with these simple tips designed to help keep home toilets functioning properly. 

1. Teach Family Members What Objects & Materials Should Never Be Flushed

Many clogged toilets are caused each year due to improper use. In most of these cases, family members, both children and adults, attempt to flush materials down the toilet that should not be introduced into any type of sewage disposal system. These materials include common household items, such as: 

• Paper products – including cleaning wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, paper towels, facial tissues, diaper liners and excessive amounts of toilet tissue
• Miscellaneous household waste products – including kitty litter, human or pet hair, grease, oils, dental floss, ashes, potting soil and dust and dirt from vacuums or dust pans
• Other objects or materials – including children’s toys, small articles of clothing like socks, medications, pet food, potting soil, sand, gravel or other miscellaneous materials or objects

2. Provide Alternate Disposal to Encourage Proper Toilet Usage

A great way to prevent inappropriate objects and materials from being placed into the toilet is to provide an alternate disposal option for family members and guests who use your bathroom. To do this, place a small trash can near each toilet in the home. Doing this is an economical, effective way of preventing future clogged toilet issues because something was flushed that should not have been flushed. 

3. Keep Surfaces Clear of Small Items That Could Easily Fall Into the Toilet

Many clogged toilets also result from accidents where an object is knocked into the toilet accidentally. This often happens when nearby counters or over-the-toilet shelving is filled with small objects, such as jars, bottles, sponges and cosmetics. When these objects land in the toilet and are flushed accidentally, a clog situation is the likely result. Keeping these areas clear of small items will lessen the chances of this happening.

4. Flush Twice When Necessary

If the toilet has a large amount of waste or toilet paper in it, flushing twice may be necessary to completely empty the bowl. But a toilet that always needs to be flushed multiple times probably already suffers from some type of clog or plumbing problem.

If a toilet in your home is having to be flushed multiple times, the extra water usage is placing an additional burden on both your plumbing system and the family water bill. When this problem occurs homeowners may want to prevent excessive water bills and further damage to their plumbing by having the problem diagnosed and repaired by a professional. 

5. Learn to Plunge & Do So As Needed

Another cause of clogged toilets and the damage that results is ignoring or postponing obvious signs that the toilet is malfunctioning. Even when the toilet does empty by flushing it multiple times, flushing over and over is not healthy for the plumbing system and can cause more serious plumbing problems over time.

Homeowners who experience slow flushing action may be able to relieve the problem by using a plunger to help free the clog and push it through the pipes. To do this effectively, follow these steps: 

• Insert the plunger into the toilet bowl, tipping it to allow any trapped air in the bell of the plunger to escape
• Position the plunger over the drainage hole and plunge vigorously to move the water both directions in the drain to loosen and free the clog
• Be patient and repeat the process until the clog is freed and the toilet bowl empties
• If plunging does not give results and the clog remains firmly in place, calling a professional to clear the clog may be necessary

6. Know When You Need Professional Help

Plumbing problems that go unsolved are one of the most common reasons for water damage and mold issues in homes today. If you are homeowner with toilets that flush slowly, threaten to overflow or require the frequent use of a plunger, calling a professional to fix the problem quickly will help you avoid the costly, inconvenient home repair bills later. 

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start saving big on your water bills!

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By zachadmachinescom

Plumbing is one of the major systems in a home.  As a new homeowner you’ve probably asked yourself several questions already about the plumbing.  Keep in mind regular maintenance of the plumbing system can extend the life of the equipment.  It will also improve the cost of energy used in the household.  Here are a few things you need to know so that you can enjoy trouble free plumbing.  

1. Why is flushing my toilet so noisy?

The noise is caused by restricted water flow when the tank refills.  You’ll need to check the main shutoff valve to the tank. Make sure it’s completely opened. The ballcock assembly regulates the water filling into the tank.  If parts are damaged or worn it prevents the ballcock from operating properly.  You may need to replace the parts or the entire assembly.

2. How do you avoid frozen pipes?

Severe cold weather causes water to freeze and expand, bursting the pipes. Pipes inside the house close to the exterior walls where there is no heat needs to be insulated to avoid freezing.  Before the cold weather hits, drain the pool, sprinklers and water spigots. Keep the outside values open so the remaining water can drain out. Then close the interior shut off valve leading to the faucets and install a faucet insulator.

3. What’s the difference between hard water and soft water?

Falling rain starts out as soft water. When it hits the ground it picks up minerals – chalk, lime, calcium and magnesium and becomes hard water. Over time, hard water builds up scale deposits clogging the pipes and preventing the flow of water. Additives are used to convert hard water to soft water. The most noticeable differences are the suds. Soft water lathers better without leaving hard water spots.  Soft water also uses less soap or detergents.

4. What can I put in the garbage disposal?

Always use cold water when operating the disposal. Cold water keeps the oils in foods from solidifying.  It’s easier for the disposal to chop up the food and move it through the pipes. Cut large pieces into smaller portions before putting them into the disposal. It prevents the blades from jamming. Avoid coffee grinds. They accumulate in the pipes blocking the water flow. 

5. Why do I keep having drainage backups and problems?

There may be solid material in the pipe causing the clog. Hair, grease, or paper products in the drain systems are usually the cause.Tree roots are notorious for growing around the pipes and crushing them. Structural damage to the pipes caused from age or exterior damages block the flow of water. Heavy rains or melting snow can also overload drain capacities causing the back-ups. 

6. Why do I hear noises such as banging and rattling in my pipes?

A broken strap that holds the pipe in place causes the rattling noise as water moves through the pipe. You’ll need to locate the noise to re-strap and insulate the pipe. If the noise is coming from behind the wall – the wall needs to be opened. Check the water pressure. Pipes have PSI ratings. Too much pressure can cause noises or damage the piping.

7. Why do we run out of hot water so quickly?

Could it be the number of users in the household using water at the same time?  The water tank may be too small to accommodate the household.  The dip tube in a gas water heater could be broken.  Electrical water tanks have a heating element that can burn out.

8. When showering, why does the water pressure drop, and what causes the temperature change when someone else turns on a faucet or flushes a toilet?

Each of these actions triggers the flow of water. The water distribution at the same time causes the water pressure to drop.  One solution depends on the type of shower control valve. The valves can reduce or eliminate the temperature fluctuations. Thermostatic mixing valves automatically balance the hot and cold water.  It prevents drastic fluctuations in shower temperature when someone turns on a faucet or flushes the toilet.

9. How do I get rid of the bad taste in my water?

Home filtration systems can reduce the bad taste in water from the tap.  These systems remove the chlorine and odor.  Carbon filtrations help to remove the hydrogen sulfide that smells like rotten eggs.  Reverse Osmosis water filtration systems also remove the chemicals from the tap water.  Most systems are low maintenance.

10. Why does my toilet keep running?

After each flush, a lever opens the flapper in the tank.  The flapper falls back into place when the water level drops. The flapper acts like a plug allowing the tank water to refill on each flush.  If the chain is too long the flapper won’t open for a full flush. A short or tangled chain prevents the flapper from closing to refill the tank.

Call Lake Cook Plumbing today & start saving big on your water bills!

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By zachadmachinescom